Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Avard Cemetery with Reverend Andrew Dossal officiating. Wharton Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at http://www.whartonfuneralchapel.com.
Ellis Ray, of Woodward, Oklahoma, went home to his Savior on November 6, 2023, at the age of 82 years and 18 days. He was born, October 19, 1942, in Alva, Oklahoma, to parents John A. Raymer and Edna E. (Nordyke) Raymer.
His childhood years were spent on the Avard homestead and Burlington, Kansas, family farms, He attended Alva Schools and worked on the family farms.
Ellis joined the Air Force on March 16, 1959, and was stationed in Clovis, New Mexico, as a fireman. He was honorably discharged March 16, 1963.
He married his childhood friend from Alva, Sharon “Dalene” VanBuskirk, on March 14, 1961, in Clovis, New Mexico. To this union, four children were born. They moved back to Alva where he worked for the police department as a police officer and in construction. They lived in many places and he retired from the Woodward County Sheriff Department in 2004. After six months of being retired he started the P&R Escort and retired again in 2018.
Ellis loved gardening, reading gardening magazines, taking care of his rescue pets, feeding the birds and squirrels, playing games, helping people, family gatherings, and most of all watching his grandchildren. He enjoyed building things and doing crafts with Dalene.
Ellis was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Johnnie L. Raymer, and infant daughter, Christie V. Raymer. He is survived by his wife Dalene Raymer; three children, Ginger Woods and husband Ray “Dino” Woods of Woodward; John D. Raymer and wife Brenda Raymer of Kerrville, Texas; Elane Finley of Woodward; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, a number of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family asked that you make Memorials to WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT or FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.
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